Esther 10:3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.
There is an old saying, “Rank has its privileges.” For those without rank, this stinks. For those with it, they can’t envision life without it. We all want the little perks that those with rank have, even if we aren’t willing to express it.
Who wouldn’t want to be able to show up at the airport and not have to go through all that screening, just jump on our own private plane, on our schedule, at our convenience! Who wouldn’t want the best seats in the house, the best table in the restaurant, the best item on the menu! Just admit it, there are some things that you wish you didn’t have to put up with that those at the top don’t have to do.
Does this make us bad people? Yes, but that is another story!
There are rare people down through history who haven’t used their positions of power and prestige for themselves and their personal gain. Unlike many in our government who seem to get incredibly richer while in office, some choose to forego the access and perks and choose to serve instead. Unfortunately, this is an ever-increasing minority.
I guess that is why someone like Mordecai stands out for me. Here is a man who shouldn’t be in a position of power. He is the wrong ethnic group. He was almost killed by a political and personal vendetta. And yet, through the LORD’s intervention, he is becomes the chief of staff of the president of Persia.
And what does he do when he gets to this position of power? He does what he has always done; he looks out for the welfare of someone other than himself! His character that was demonstrated numerous times before continues. He doesn’t change.
I have heard so many times in my life, “When I get to a position of power, things will be different.” But along the way the means used to get to the position of power betray deeper character flaws. And then when power is obtained, the flaws continue, but with a wider application of results.
For Mordiecai it was just the opposite. He had been faithful to care for his niece when her parents died. He had looked out for her safety and advancement under impossible odds. She had to win a beauty contest without bribing of the judges!
And now he is number two in the country. He acts on behalf of the King. What he says, goes.
He is respected by the King, his direct boss. He is respected by his people, the Jews. He is respected by those over whom he has authority, his fellow servants of the King. What a testimony!
How did he get this position? He worked for the good and spoke up for the welfare of the Jews. He was willing to put his life on the line for others. He left everything on the field. Sounds like Someone else?
The Arnold Journey 